The service, in the Royal Hospital Kilmainham, commemorated all those who gave their lives in wars or on UN service.

Veterans John Larkin and Bernard Campbell. Photo: Fergal Phillips

President Michael D Higgins laid a wreath in memory of fallen members of the Defence Forces, as political figures from both sides of the Border paid their respects.

The ceremony concluded with a minute's silence and a fly-past of four PC-9 aircraft.

Retired private Bernard Campbell, from Cloughjordan, Co Tipperary, said: "A lot of our ex-Defence Force members are no longer with us. It is important that we remember our fallen comrades, people we knew."

Meanwhile, Crumlin veteran Fran O'Toole (61) said he would sign up for military service again "in a heartbeat".